Crossword puzzle/word search combination

ABSTRACT

A crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination includes first and second puzzle sections. The first puzzle section includes an interlocking crossword region having spaces for letters allowing the formation of down and across words and the second puzzle section includes a word search region including random letters and a plurality of words generally hidden therewithin. A crossword clue section provides clues to fill in correct down and across answers, and the plurality of words in the word search region of the second puzzle section include substantially all of the correct down and across answers of the interlocking crossword region. The word search region and the interlocking crossword region cooperate to provide the correct down and across answers for the interlocking crossword region by enabling the puzzle solver to alternatively deduce the correct answer from the clues or find the correct answer in the word search region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL PATENT

This application claims priority based on a provisional patent, specifically on the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/559,552 filed Apr. 5, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention is directed to word-type games and, more particularly, to a crossword puzzle/word search combination which includes a crossword puzzle having a series of clues and answers which fit within the crossword puzzle grid and a word search puzzle associated with the crossword puzzle, the word search puzzle including each of the correct answers for the crossword puzzle thus permitting the player to alternatively solve the crossword puzzle clues and/or find the answers within the word search puzzle to complete the crossword puzzle and word search puzzle by the interaction between the two puzzles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Word puzzles continue to be a perennial favorite of puzzle solvers the world over. There have been many different types of word puzzles which have been proposed, including such well-known types of puzzles as crossword puzzles, jumbles, word search puzzles and the like. By far the most popular type of word puzzle, however, is the crossword puzzle, due to its virtually unlimited subject matter and almost universal familiarity. One of the significant disadvantages of crossword puzzles, however, is that the puzzle may be difficult to complete if the specific knowledge required by the various clues is not possessed by the puzzle solver. Due to the nature of crossword puzzles, this can then result in a large portion of the crossword puzzle being unable to be completed, as the solution of one clue can directly affect the remainder of the puzzle. An unsatisfying solution to this dilemma is to access the puzzle answers found in the back of many puzzle books, but as this removes much of the enjoyment from completion of the puzzle, this solution is not acceptable. There is therefore a need for a way to solve the crossword puzzle which can be determined independently of the various clues given in connection with the crossword puzzle without requiring one to resort to the answers given to the puzzle.

Numerous types of puzzles have been proposed in the prior art which have attempted to address this issue, including such puzzles as those found in Harrison, U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,210, Coefield, U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,773, and Breeler, U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,954. Of these patents, the only one which makes a true attempt at facilitating solution of the crossword puzzle is the Breeler patent, but the combination of the word search and the crossword puzzle disclosed in Breeler actually can render solving the puzzle more difficult. This is because one must solve the combined puzzle using the clues provided, instead of being able to use separate word search and crossword puzzles to uncover the correct answers in either puzzle, thus using the two separate puzzles to complement one another instead of them being “mashed” together. There is therefore a need for a crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination which will assist the puzzle solver in completing the puzzles with the correct answers while still remaining challenging and entertaining.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination which includes first and second puzzle sections, the first puzzle section including an interlocking crossword region having spaces for letters allowing the formation of down and across words within the first puzzle section and the second puzzle section including a word search region including random letters and a plurality of words generally hidden within the second puzzle section and the random letters.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination which will provide a greater opportunity to completely solve the puzzle than that afforded by standard crossword puzzles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination which offers the puzzle solver the opportunity to simultaneously solve two different kinds of puzzles which cooperate to provide the correct answers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination which reduces frustration and increases enjoyment.

Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination which is relatively simple to understand, is challenging and enjoyable to play, and can be adjusted to different difficulty levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination including first and second puzzle sections. The first puzzle section includes an interlocking crossword region having spaces for letters allowing the formation of down and across words within the first puzzle section and the second puzzle section includes a word search region including random letters and a plurality of words generally hidden within the second puzzle section and the random letters. A crossword clue section for providing clues to fill in correct down and across answers within the interlocking crossword region is also provided, and the plurality of words in the word search region of the second puzzle section include substantially all of the correct down and across answers of the interlocking crossword region of the first puzzle section. The word search region of the second puzzle section and the interlocking crossword region of the first puzzle section cooperate to provide the correct down and across answers for the interlocking crossword region by enabling the puzzle solver to alternatively deduce the correct down and across answer from the clues in the crossword clue section or find the correct down and across answer in the word search region of the second puzzle section. The crossword puzzle can thus be solved even if one or more of the clues are unable to be solved by finding the correct answer hidden within the word search puzzle.

The present invention thus provides a substantial improvement over the crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combinations and methods found in the game industry. For example, because the crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination virtually ensures that the puzzle solver will be able to complete the puzzle, frustration is decreased and enjoyment is increased. Furthermore, because the puzzle solver can alternate back and forth between the two puzzle sections, it is unlikely that the person will become bored with the puzzle of the present invention, and thus will be more likely to enjoy solving the puzzle. Also, one of the common problems encountered by crossword puzzle enthusiasts is that some of the clues require specialized or specific knowledge to obtain the correct answer. If the puzzle solver does not have that specialized or specific knowledge, that particular answer will be left unsolved and thus the completion of the puzzle is jeopardized. With the present invention, the puzzle solver is able to overcome that lack of knowledge and continue solving the puzzle after he or she finds the answer hidden within the word search portion of the puzzle. No other prior art puzzle offers this alternative solution process, and it is this feature which provide just one of the many improvements over the prior art that the present invention provides. Finally, because the crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination of the present invention can be made more or less difficult by either making the crossword puzzle section harder or making the word search section harder, the authors of the various versions of the crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination have increased flexibility to create their puzzles. It is thus seen that the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those games, devices and methods found in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the crossword puzzle/word search combination of the present invention prior to playing; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the present invention showing a partially completed puzzle combination.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The crossword puzzle/word search combination of the present invention is shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2 as including a common type of crossword puzzle which includes a crossword puzzle grid and a set of clues for the across and down puzzle answers. Positioned adjacent the crossword puzzle is a word search puzzle which functions in the standard fashion associated with word search puzzles in that the words are hidden within the block of letters and may positioned forwards, backwards, vertically up and down or even diagonally within the word search puzzle. To this point, the crossword puzzle and word search puzzle each function as the standard type of puzzle with which they are associated, however, the significant and important inventive elements of the present invention will become apparent as the playing of the puzzle combination is begun.

Specifically, the crossword puzzle section and word search puzzle section are designed to work in conjunction with one another in that the correct answers to the crossword puzzle section can be found in the word search puzzle section. This permits the puzzle solver to play both puzzles simultaneously to correctly complete the crossword puzzle and word search puzzle each and every time. This is best shown in FIG. 2, in which the crossword puzzle and word search puzzle sections are each partially completed with the words being filled into the crossword puzzle grid and also being circled on the word search puzzle section. The duality of this innovative puzzle permits the puzzle solver to play to his or her puzzle-solving strengths, as each puzzle solver may feel that they are stronger in solving one or the other of the two types of puzzles (i.e. the crossword puzzle section or the word search puzzle section). As an example of the superiority of the present invention over the separate puzzles of the prior art, one can look at the partially completed puzzles of FIG. 2, particularly at the individual words which complete the crossword puzzle section. Specifically, for example, the clue for 8 Down is “annoying”, and the correct answer is given as “irksome”. Experienced crossword puzzle solvers would likely have little identifying the correct answer to the clue given in 8 Down, but those persons with little crossword puzzle experience or without extended vocabularies may not know that a synonym for “annoying” is the word “irksome”.

With standard crossword puzzles, the puzzle solver would be at a loss as to how to complete the puzzle unless he or she were able to fill in other answers to eventually figure out that the answer to 8 Down is “irksome”. With the present invention, however, the puzzle solver would be able to refer to the word search puzzle section and attempt to find a word hidden within the word search puzzle section which would have a similar meaning to the word “annoying”. As shown in FIG. 2, hidden in the top row of the word search puzzle section is the word “irksome”, shown as circled in the word search puzzle section, and once the word “irksome” is identified within the word search puzzle section, the puzzle solver may return to the crossword puzzle section, review the various clues presented to assist in the solving of the crossword puzzle section and match the word “irksome” to the word “annoying”, thus providing the solution for 8 Down.

In fact, an additional feature of the present invention is that the puzzle solver need not even have a particular clue in mind when solving the word search section of the present invention, but rather can search the word search section for various words. Once found, the words can be matched with the clues given in connection with the crossword puzzle section to determine if the found words can be entered into the crossword puzzle in connection with the related clue. In this manner, the puzzle solver may play both sections of the crossword puzzle/word search combination of the present invention simultaneously, for example, first solving a clue in the crossword puzzle section and then finding another word in the word search section to match to a specific clue in the crossword puzzle section. The puzzle solver may thus obtain maximum enjoyment from the solving of the combination puzzle.

Alternatively, the puzzle solver might be unsure of a particular answer which he or she has given in connection with a clue for the crossword puzzle section, such as the answer given in connection with 18 Across, namely “pipsqueak”. If the puzzle solver is unsure if the word “pipsqueak” is the correct answer in connection with the clue “snips”, he or she may attempt to find the word “pipsqueak” within the word search puzzle section and, if the word is found within the word search puzzle section, he or she will then know that the word “pipsqueak” is the correct answer. As the word “pipsqueak” does show up in the word search puzzle section (shown as a reverse diagonal word in the approximate center of the word search puzzle, see FIG. 2), he or she then is assured that the answer is a correct one and the solving of the puzzle can continue.

The procedure as described above will be implemented for each of the clues given in connection with the crossword puzzle section, and as each of the correct answers are given within the word search puzzle section, the puzzle solver may utilize many of his or her puzzle solving skills to obtain the correct answers, either in connection with the specific clue given in the crossword puzzle section or by finding the correct word within the word search puzzle section. The crossword puzzle/word search combination of the present invention thus can be used for relatively simple puzzles on up to very difficult puzzles, as the degree of difficulty demanded by the puzzle solver dictates. The frustrations experienced by crossword puzzle solvers are thus greatly reduced and the enjoyment of completing the puzzle is enhanced as a far greater range of puzzle solving skills are required to correctly complete the crossword puzzle/word search combination of the present invention.

It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications and substitutions may be made to the crossword puzzle/word search combination of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the above description. For example, the specific size, shape and number of clues and words used in connection with the crossword puzzle section and/or word search puzzle section of the present invention may be modified or changed depending on the intended complexity and difficulty level desired in connection with the puzzle. Also, the level of difficulty of the puzzle may be modified by making the clues for the crossword puzzle harder and/or making the word search puzzle more difficult, any of which would be understood by one skilled in the art of puzzles. Finally, it should be noted that it is not critical to the present invention as to what degree the solution of the puzzle is performed by either the crossword puzzle section or the word search puzzle section so long as the challenge and enjoyment of completing the puzzle is maximized.

There has therefore been shown and described a crossword puzzle/word search combination which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives. 

1. A crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination comprising: first and second puzzle sections, said first puzzle section including an interlocking crossword region having spaces for letters allowing the formation of down and across words within said first puzzle section; said second puzzle section including a word search region including random letters and a plurality of words generally hidden within said second puzzle section and said random letters; a crossword clue section for providing clues to fill in correct down and across answers within said interlocking crossword region; said plurality of words in said word search region of said second puzzle section including at least some of said correct down and across answers of said interlocking crossword region of said first puzzle section; said word search region of said second puzzle section and said interlocking crossword region of said first puzzle section cooperating to provide said correct down and across answers for said interlocking crossword region by alternatively deducing the correct down and across answer from the clues in said crossword clue section and finding the correct down and across answer in said word search region of said second puzzle section.
 2. The crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of words in said word search region of said second puzzle section includes all and only all of said correct down and across answers of said interlocking crossword region of said first puzzle section.
 3. The crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination of claim 1 wherein said first puzzle section further includes a plurality of filled-in squares operative to divide and separate portions of said interlocking crossword region according to the spaces for letters required for the correct down and across answers.
 4. The crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of words hidden within said word search region of said second puzzle section are alternatively positioned forwards, backwards, vertically up and down and diagonally within said word search region.
 5. A crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination comprising: first and second puzzle sections, said first puzzle section including an interlocking crossword region having spaces for letters allowing the formation of down and across words within said first puzzle section; said second puzzle section including a word search region including random letters and a plurality of words generally hidden within said second puzzle section and said random letters; a crossword clue section for providing clues to fill in correct down and across answers within said interlocking crossword region; said plurality of words in said word search region of said second puzzle section including all and only all of said correct down and across answers of said interlocking crossword region of said first puzzle section; said word search region of said second puzzle section and said interlocking crossword region of said first puzzle section cooperating to provide said correct down and across answers for said interlocking crossword region by alternatively deducing the correct down and across answer from the clues in said crossword clue section and finding the correct down and across answer in said word search region of said second puzzle section.
 6. The crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination of claim 5 wherein said first puzzle section further includes a plurality of filled-in squares operative to divide and separate portions of said interlocking crossword region according to the spaces for letters required for the correct down and across answers.
 7. The crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination of claim 5 wherein said plurality of words hidden within said word search region of said second puzzle section are alternatively positioned forwards, backwards, vertically up and down and diagonally within said word search region.
 8. A crossword puzzle/word search puzzle combination comprising: first and second puzzle sections, said first puzzle section including an interlocking crossword region having spaces for letters allowing the formation of down and across words within said first puzzle section; said second puzzle section including a word search region including random letters and a plurality of words generally hidden within said second puzzle section and said random letters; said first and second puzzle sections spaced apart and independent from one another such that said first and second puzzle sections do not physically interact; a crossword clue section for providing clues to fill in correct down and across answers within said interlocking crossword region; said plurality of words in said word search region of said second puzzle section including all and only all of said correct down and across answers of said interlocking crossword region of said first puzzle section; said word search region of said second puzzle section and said interlocking crossword region of said first puzzle section cooperating to provide said correct down and across answers for said interlocking crossword region by alternatively deducing the correct down and across answer from the clues in said crossword clue section and finding the correct down and across answer in said word search region of said second puzzle section. 